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Britain

Britain
The latest breaking news and stories on the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK), a constitutional monarchy in northern Europe which includes England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the world’s sixth largest economy. Also covering the UK’s relationship with the European Union (EU) post Brexit, as well as with China, plus commentary and updates on the UK’s economy, politics, society and social issues.
Capital
London
Head of State
King Charles III
King Charles III
Head of Government
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Far-right activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, wears a ‘Unite The Kingdom’ (UTK) hat and scarf at a protest on January 11. Photo: Reuters
Keir Starmer

Rival pro-Palestine, far-right protests in London as 4,000 police deployed

London’s Metropolitan Police drafted more than 4,000 officers over fears that far-right demonstrators may clash with pro-Palestine marchers if not kept apart.

South China Sea

Can AI-assisted unmanned vessels be Beijing’s answer to South China Sea patrols?

Banking & finance

Hong Kong regulator now a ‘collection agent’ for wronged investors

Vietnam

Beyond bamboo: Vietnam’s To Lam mounts a diplomacy offensive

The security chief turned paramount leader is chasing the markets and capital required to reach high-income status by 2045.

Vietnam’s To Lam waves after shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on May 6. Photo: EPA
Mainland China

Being Chinese | How to deal with this ‘very Chinese time’ in Western lives

The question is not whether outsiders are getting China or Chinese culture right, but what we choose to do with their attention.

2026 Xi-Trump summit

Trump holds his fire: China state visit reveals diplomatic turn on social media

Just a handful of online posts from US president contrast with the flurry during his most recent state visits to the UK and Japan.

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The Philippines

Western powers ramp up support for Philippines’ Luzon economic hub

Eight more countries will invest in the project as they accelerate regional trade diversification in sectors ranging from AI to energy.

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Containers at the Manila North Harbour Port in Manila, Philippines. Development of the Luzon Economic Corridor will involve eight more countries. Photo: AP
Energy

Turning over a new leaf: why UK’s green mandate is a win for Asia

The Green Party’s record-breaking gains in UK council elections are a sign voters are taking climate change seriously, analysts say.

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Keir Starmer

‘King of the North’ takes first step to challenge UK’s Starmer

UK lawmaker resigns his seat, clearing a path for leadership challenger Andy Burnham.

Japan

Why Japan’s ruling party is pushing for 5% military spending

The ruling party is expected to debate raising outlays to as much as 5 per cent of GDP, in line with that of many Nato members.

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Japan Ground Self-Defence Force soldiers fold a US flag during a Balikatan drill in the Philippines on May 6. Photo: Reuters
Keir Starmer

UK health minister quits, calls for leadership contest to oust PM Starmer

Health Minister Wes Streeting is the first senior minister to quit after days of calls by Labour lawmakers for Starmer to step down.

Sunlight shines on 10 Downing Street in central London on Thursday. Britain’s Health Secretary Wes Streeting, a potential rival to Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, announced his resignation on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Crime

Bodies of 3 women recovered from the sea off UK city

The coastguard is completing an ‘extensive search of the water’, but the force is not searching for anyone else.

France

France lifts cruise lockdown after outbreak scare, as stomach bug blamed

Authorities rule out a link to the deadly hantavirus as asymptomatic passengers are cleared to disembark in Bordeaux.

Keir Starmer

UK PM’s biggest political challenge overshadows King’s speech

According to reports, Health Minister Wes Streeting was preparing to resign as early as Thursday to challenge Starmer.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer walks through the Central Lobby of the Houses of Parliament in London to the House of Lords to hear the King’s Speech on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
Keir Starmer

Who could replace Starmer as UK prime minister?

As rebellion reaches a fever pitch, here’s some names in the frame if Keir Starmer is forced out.

A betting company’s odds on contenders to be the next leader of Britain’s Labour Party. Photo: AFP
On Our Radar

Explore art’s future at Hong Kong’s Affordable Art Fair this May

Discover affordable art, Cantopop-inspired installations, British talent and hands-on workshops at Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong 2026 – where accessibility meets creativity.

Keir Starmer

UK’s Starmer to ‘get on with governing’, defies calls to quit

At a meeting of his cabinet, there was no official move to trigger a leadership contest even as three junior ministers quit.

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Fame and celebrity

Meet Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, who plays Alamo in Euphoria

The British actor had a turbulent upbringing that included joining a skinhead gang and making a suicide attempt, before achieving Hollywood stardom.

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Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje plays Alamo in Euphoria season three. Photos: @therealadewale, @euphoria/Instagram
US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | Trump has few cards to play against Iran and in China

The impasse over the Strait of Hormuz is a long chess game across multiple arenas, not easily solved by a naval blockade or a mere poker bluff.

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Keir Starmer

Starmer is fighting to stay in power. Here’s what could happen

Unlike the Conservative Party, which has a history of getting rid of leaders, Labour does not have that muscle memory. Could that change soon?

Japan

Japan’s ‘cutest’ envoy shows Britons how to love Britain

‘He has made me feel more proud to be British than any politician or any figure since I was born,’ a content creator says.

Hiroshi Suzuki, Japan’s ambassador to Britain, attends a football match in London. Photo: X/AmbJapanUK
Banking & finance

Investors bet CK Hutchison is exiting a mature sector at right time – once again

Disposal of VodafoneThree adds to Li family’s record of cycle-savvy moves, with investors weighing where war chest will flow next.

For decades, the Li family, which controls CK Hutchison, has built a reputation for exiting businesses near the top of market cycles, according to analysts. Photo: Sam Tsang
European Union

UK targets Russian ‘information warfare’ with new sanctions

Sanctions package hits 85 people and entities, two-thirds of them related to alleged Russian propaganda operations.

China-UK relations

Will Starmer’s election woes force a shake-up in the UK’s ties with China?

British prime minister’s dwindling authority may see him come under pressure to shift policies, Chinese experts say.

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Keir Starmer

UK’s Starmer under renewed pressure to quit as revolt grows

Home secretary and deputy PM reportedly join calls for a leadership transition as several aides resign.

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday. Photo: PA via AP
Hantavirus

More passengers from hantavirus-hit cruise ship test positive

Two passengers, French and American, test positive as governments take extensive precautions for evacuees.

A bus transporting repatriated British nationals from the MV Hondius as they arrive at Arrowe Park Hospital in Birkenhead, Britain. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong property

Hong Kong’s Tsim Sha Tsui tops Asia luxury retail rents – but loses global crown

City’s luxury retail shows resilience with rising tourist arrivals and new store openings despite global slowdown, according to Savills.

Artificial intelligence

China ranks third in global index for AI competitiveness in life sciences

China listed behind only the US and UK, reflecting the country’s ‘major scale’ in AI, biotechnology and talent, says data consortium.

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